Should You Explore Inazuma or Sumeru First in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of whether to venture into Inazuma or Sumeru first in Genshin Impact is a common one for players, especially those navigating the game’s sprawling world for the first time or returning after a hiatus. Both regions offer unique experiences, challenges, and rewards, but their accessibility and place within the game’s narrative differ significantly. So, which should you tackle first?
The short answer is: Sumeru is the more accessible and generally recommended region to explore first if you haven’t completed Inazuma’s main storyline. While Inazuma is earlier in the Archon questline, Sumeru’s design allows for easier entry, making it more immediately available to players. Let’s break down why.
Why Sumeru Might Be Your First Stop
Accessibility and Early Exploration
Unlike Inazuma, which requires the completion of a specific Archon quest, ‘Archon Quest Chapter II: Act I – The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia’, and reaching Adventure Rank 30 (AR 30), Sumeru’s doors are much more open. You can, in fact, travel to Sumeru before completing the Inazuma questline. All you need to do is trek to the newly unlocked region west of Mondstadt and Liyue. This makes Sumeru a much more accessible destination for newer or returning players who haven’t yet progressed through Inazuma’s story.
A Breath of Fresh Air
The article you provided notes that Sumeru is a “breath of fresh air” after Inazuma’s hostile climate. This isn’t just about aesthetics, it also pertains to gameplay. Inazuma’s stormy environment and unique mechanics like Balethunder can be quite challenging. Sumeru, while having its own quirks, offers a more inviting and explorative experience, with terrain and interactable elements that encourage players to roam and discover its secrets.
Level Recommendations
While it’s recommended to have an Adventure Level (AR) of 35 or higher for the Sumeru main quest, the region itself is navigable at lower levels. This means that if you’re above AR 30, you can comfortably get started in Sumeru. In contrast, tackling Inazuma at a lower AR and with less developed characters can be significantly more challenging.
The Allure of Exploration
Sumeru is also lauded for its vibrant NPCs and populated areas. Unlike other regions that can feel somewhat deserted, Sumeru’s cities and settlements have numerous merchants and civilians who seem to have their own lives and routines. This sense of a living, breathing world adds to the immersion and makes exploration that much more rewarding.
Why You Might Still Choose Inazuma
Storyline Progression
While Sumeru is more accessible, Inazuma is earlier in the main Archon Quest storyline. If you are primarily interested in following the story in its intended order, you will need to complete the Inazuma arc before progressing through Sumeru’s primary narrative. This might appeal to players who prioritize experiencing the game in chronological order.
Challenge and Character Building
Inazuma presents a good opportunity to test your team and your combat skills. Its more hostile environment and enemy types force players to strategize and improve their characters. If you’re looking for a solid challenge before progressing to Sumeru, then Inazuma is a great training ground.
Exclusive Content
Finally, certain events and quests are tied specifically to Inazuma. By neglecting the Inazuma content, players will miss out on the lore, quests, and character development unique to this region. These exclusive experiences are worth considering if you want to fully engage with Genshin Impact’s world.
Conclusion
If your primary goal is to dive into new content and explore a vibrant region with accessible mechanics, then Sumeru is the recommended destination to explore first. You can always circle back to Inazuma to finish its storyline or complete the remaining quests and exploration. However, if your priority is the chronological order of the main story or seeking a more difficult challenge to build your characters, then Inazuma would be the next destination before fully exploring Sumeru. Both regions are important chapters in Genshin Impact’s larger narrative, but their exploration doesn’t need to be linear. The best approach is the one that best suits your own gaming preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the Adventure Rank (AR) requirements for Sumeru?
While there are no specific AR requirements to access Sumeru, it’s generally recommended to reach AR 35 or higher to begin the main Sumeru storyline and quests comfortably. However, you can begin exploring the area even at AR 30 as there is no explicit Adventure Rank check for entering the region itself.
2. Can I skip Inazuma entirely to go straight to Sumeru?
Yes, you can skip Inazuma and travel directly to Sumeru. Sumeru is accessible by exploring the area west of Mondstadt and Liyue, without needing to complete any Inazuma storyline quests. However, you will eventually have to return to Inazuma to progress the main story.
3. How do I unlock the Statue of the Seven in Sumeru?
When you first arrive in Sumeru, you can focus on unlocking the statues that are immediately accessible. Some statues are quest-locked, so you’ll need to progress through the Sumeru storylines to unlock all of them.
4. How large is Sumeru compared to Inazuma?
The Sumeru Desert is larger than most individual regions in the game, except when combining Inazuma and its instances together. This makes Sumeru a vast region with plenty to explore.
5. How long does the Sumeru questline take to complete?
The entire Sumeru arc can take approximately 14 hours to complete if players avoid repeating any of the parts. However, this can be longer for players who engage in full exploration, side quests, and puzzle solving.
6. What are the best ways to earn Primogems in Sumeru?
You can earn Primogems through several methods, including completing daily commissions, exploring the Sumeru desert, and completing quests. Specifically, you can expect over 2,000 Primogems from exploring the Sumeru desert and another 2,000 from daily commissions.
7. Which is the most challenging area, Inazuma or Sumeru?
While both have their challenges, Inazuma is generally considered to be more difficult for newer players due to its environmental hazards and enemy types. Sumeru introduces a different set of complexities but is generally more forgiving for exploration and traversal.
8. What are the environmental reactions unique to Sumeru?
Sumeru introduces various environmental Elemental Reactions such as Burning and Dendro reactions that require players to use elemental abilities strategically.
9. How does Sumeru’s exploration compare to Inazuma?
Sumeru encourages exploration with a more forgiving environment and engaging interactable elements. Sumeru’s map is less hostile than Inazuma’s overall, with more areas for climbing and interacting with the environment.
10. What is the recommended Adventure Rank for Dragonspine?
For basic exploration, AR 10 should be enough. However, AR 25 is recommended to explore the entire area effectively. You’ll also need a Pyro character to light fires in the region to combat the effects of Sheer Cold.
11. How can I avoid freezing to death in Dragonspine?
Players can avoid freezing by using torches, cooking food, and crafting warming bottles. Gathering Scarlet Quartz scattered around the map can also give you protection against Sheer Cold.
12. Which character is considered the best Dendro character?
The Dendro Archon, Nahida, is considered the best Dendro character in Genshin Impact. She excels at both support and off-field sub-DPS roles.
13. Who are some of the strongest characters in Inazuma lore?
Some of the strongest characters from the Inazuma region based on lore include the Electro Archon Ei, Zhongli, and Venti.
14. What are the best ways to farm Primogems fast?
The best ways to farm Primogems include completing Daily Commissions, the Spiral Abyss, and participating in various events. Exploring the map and unlocking chests is also essential for gathering Primogems.
15. Is it possible to get 1,600 Primogems in a day?
Yes, it is possible to get 1,600 Primogems in a day, but it’s not always guaranteed. This would require completing several tasks, including obtaining Primogems from daily commissions, claiming rewards from events and using codes, and engaging in activities like Spiral Abyss challenges.